The Administration supports S. 1052, as reported, which would implement
further the Act approving the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) in Political Union with the United States
of America. Specifically, S. 1052 would extend the Immigration and
Nationality Act to the CNMI with special provisions to allow for the
orderly application of national immigration law with consideration for the
local economy in this newest U.S. territory. The Administration believes
that S. 1052 represents a significant positive step forward that will
improve immigration policy by guarding against exploitation and abuse of
individuals. The Administration appreciates the bipartisan commitment
reflected in S. 1052 and looks forward to working with the Congress to
address certain remaining concerns with new provisions of the bill. The
Administration also looks forward to addressing other serious problems with
the CNMI's foreign worker economic system, such as the wage structure and
the use of the "Made in the USA" label, that are not addressed in S. 1052.